Lao people in Điện Biên celebrate Khăm Bản Ceremony

ĐBP – The Lao people's economy and society are primarily based on agricultural production, fishing, and weaving. Over centuries of settlement, the Lao people in Điện Biên Province have preserved and developed their unique traditional culture, most notably the Khăm Bản ceremony, also known as the village worship ceremony.

When the village faces important matters related to community issues, the village elders, village head, and shaman hold meetings and conduct the Khăm Bản ceremony at the communal worship place.

To perform the ceremony, the shaman, along with the community, prepares offerings, including traditional agricultural products such as fresh flowers, various tubers, chickens, pork, and rice wine.

After everything is prepared, the villagers carry the offerings from their homes to the communal worship place, usually located near a stream and an ancient tree. This procession involves many community members, including the shaman, men, women, and children, making it a collective community activity.

At the communal worship place, women and girls hand over the offerings to the men and boys, as the Lao believe that only men can perform the rituals. The shaman and the men then arrange the offerings at small shrines and altars representing various deities. During the Khăm Bản ceremony, the shaman only conducts rituals at the largest shrine dedicated to the land spirit, who is credited with founding the village.

The ceremony comprises three main parts. First, the shaman arranges the offerings and burns incense to invite the land spirit, informing them of the community's affairs. Next, the land spirit and other deities are invited to partake in the offerings, witness the rituals, and join in the celebration with the villagers. After about half an hour, the shaman and the men ask for permission to clean up the offerings.

The Khăm Bản Ceremony holds significant meaning and importance in the spiritual life of the Lao community. It is an occasion for gathering, fostering unity within the village, and for descendants to express their reverence for the village founder and the deities closely connected to the community's life.

All community members carry the offerings from their homes to the communal worship place.

The shaman and a local girl prepare offerings for Khăm Bản ceremony.

A woman hands over the offerings to a man to perform the rituals.

The offerings of Khăm Bản ceremony.

 

By Trần Nhâm
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